Oathbringer/Epigraphs

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Preface to Oathbringer

In Part One of Oathbringer the epigraphs are excerpts from the preface of the in-universe book of the same name, which is written by Dalinar Kholin.

Chapter	Text
1	"I’m certain some will feel threatened by this record. Some few may feel liberated. Most will simply feel that it should not exist."
2	"I needed to write it anyway."
4	"I know that many women who read this will see it only as further proof that I am the godless heretic everyone claims."
5	"I can point to the moment when I decided for certain this record had to be written. I hung between realms, seeing into Shadesmar—the realm of the spren—and beyond."
6	"I thought that I was surely dead. Certainly, some who saw further than I did thought I had fallen."
7	"I did not die. I experienced something worse."
8	"That moment notwithstanding, I can honestly say this book has been brewing in me since my youth."
9	"The sum of my experiences has pointed at this moment. This decision."
10	"Perhaps my heresy stretches back to those days in my childhood, where these ideas began."
12	"I ask not that you forgive me. Nor that you even understand."
13	"I ask only that you read or listen to these words."
14	"In this record, I hold nothing back. I will try not to shy away from difficult topics, or paint myself in a dishonestly heroic light."
15	"I will express only direct, even brutal, truth. You must know what I have done, and what those actions cost me."
16	"For in this comes the lesson."
17	"It is not a lesson I claim to be able to teach. Experience herself is the great teacher, and you must seek her directly."
18	"You cannot have a spice described to you, but must taste it for yourself."
20	"However, with a dangerous spice, you can be warned to taste lightly. I would that your lesson may not be as painful as my own."
21	"I am no storyteller, to entertain you with whimsical yarns."
22	"I am no philosopher, to intrigue you with piercing questions."
23	"I am no poet, to delight you with clever allusions."
24	"I have no doubt that you are smarter than I am. I can only relate what happened, what I have done, and then let you draw conclusions."
25	"I will confess my murders before you. Most painfully, I have killed someone who loved me dearly."
27	"I will confess my heresy. I do not back down from the things I have said, regardless of what the ardents demand."
28	"Finally, I will confess my humanity. I have been named a monster, and do not deny those claims. I am the monster that I fear we all can become."
29	"So sit back. Read, or listen, to someone who has passed between realms."
30	"Listen to the words of a fool."
31	"If they cannot make you less foolish, at least let them give you hope."
32	"For I, of all people, have changed."

Letters

In Part Two of Oathbringer the epigraphs are three letters. The first and second one is directed to somebody refered to as Cephandrius. The third one is addressed to "Friend." The second letter is theorized to be written by Bavadin(Autonomy) and the third letter is most likely written by Sazed(Harmony).

Chapter	Text
33	Dearest Cephandrius I received your communication, of course.
34	I noticed its arrival immediately, just as I noticed your many intrusions into my land.
35	You think yourself so clever, but my eyes are not those of some petty noble, to be clouded by a false nose and some dirt on the cheeks.
37	You mustn't worry yourself about Rayse. It is a pity about Aona and Skai, but they were foolish--violating our pact from the very beginning.
38	Your skills are admirable, but you are merely a man. You had your chance to be more, and refused it.
39	No good can come of two Shards settling in one location. It was agreed that we would not interfere with one another, and it disappoints me that so few of the Shards have kept to this original agreement.
40	As for Uli Da, it was obvious from the outset that she was going to be a problem. Good riddance.
41	Regardless, this is not your concern. You turned your back on divinity. If Rayse becomes an issue, he will be dealt with. And so will you.
42	Cephandrius, bearer of the First Gem, You must know better than to approach us by relying upon presumption of past relationship.
43	You have spoken to one who cannot respond. We, instead, will take your communication to us--though we know not how you located us upon this world.
44	We are indeed intrigued, for we thought it well hidden. Insignificant among our many realms.
45	As the waves of the sea must continue to surge, so must our will continue resolute. Alone.
46	Did you expect anything else from us? We need not suffer the interference of another. Rayse is contained, and we care not for his prison.
47	Indeed, we admire his initiative. Perhaps if you had approached the correct one of us with your plea, it would have found favorable audience.
48	But we stand in the sea, pleased with our domains. Leave us alone.
50	We also instruct that you should not return to Obrodai. We have claimed that world, and a new avatar of our being is beginning to manifest there. She is young yet, and--as a precaution--she has been instilled with an intense and overpowering dislike of you.
51	This is all we will say at this time. If you wish more, seek these waters in person and overcome the tests we have created. Only in this will you earn our respect.
53	Friend, Your letter is most intriguing, even revelatory.
54	I would have thought, before attaining my current station, that a deity could not be surprised. Obviously, that is not true. I can be surprised. I can perhaps even be naive, I think.
55	I am the least equipped, of all, to aid you in this endeavor. I am finding that the powers I hold are in such conflict that the most simple of actions can be difficult.
56	I am also made uncertain by your subterfuge. Why have you not made yourself known to me before this? How is it you can hide? Who are you truly, and how do you know so much about Adonalsium?
57	If you would speak to me further, I request open honesty. Return to my lands, approach my servants, and I will see what I can do for your quest.

Notes

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